No. 8 Stanford (12-2) slowed down Wisconsin's running game just enough and overcame its own offensive sluggishness to win 20-14 – the lowest-scoring Rose Bowl since these teams met in 2000, with Wisconsin winning 17-9.

"We knew it would be a physical game," said Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor, who despite rushing for just 88 yards was voted Offensive Player of the Game. "We knew it would be grind it out, grind it out."

Stanford's three consecutive seasons of 11 victories or more is unprecedented in school history, and it was their first Rose Bowl victory since 1972, but who knew that in the year after highlight-reel quarterback Andrew Luck left school, Stanford would be known for defense and running between the tackles?

Wisconsin's All-America running back Montee Ball, who has averaged more than 130 yards per game the past two seasons, was held in check, not hitting the 100-yard mark until less than four minutes remained.

Wisconsin, which lost to TCU and Oregon in the previous two Rose Bowls, became the third team to lose three consecutive Rose Bowls – joining California (1949, '50 and '51) and Michigan (1977, '78 and '79).

Barry Alvarez, the Wisconsin athletics director and former coach who stepped in as interim coach after Bret Bielema took the job at Arkansas, lost his first Rose Bowl, having entered the game with a 3-0 record.

Wisconsin (8-6), ranked 23rd in the most recent USA TODAY Sports coaches' poll, came in with more losses than any Rose Bowl team in history.

Midway through the third quarter, no player had caught more than two passes, and neither starting quarterback had thrown for more than 100 yards.

In the third quarter, the teams combined for seven punts and three first downs, and the only score in the second half was a fourth-quarter 22-yard field goal by Stanford's Jordan Williamson.

It was the third second-half shutout pitched this season by Stanford, and the 11th time in 14 games Stanford held an opponent to 20 or fewer points.

"They were doing some line stunts that we were having problems with," Alvarez said. "They're very difficult to block."

Stanford coach David Shaw said before the game that his offense is what it is – a hard-nosed, straight-ahead running game -- and he planned to stick with that.

Then, on Stanford's first possession, Shaw dug into a little-used bag of tricks and pulled out a wide receiver pass – Drew Terrell to Jamal-Rashad Patterson – for a 34-yard gain and then an end around by wide receiver Kelsey Young for a 16-yard touchdown run.

Then, on the next possession, Hogan threw a bomb down the middle to stellar tight end Zach Ertz for a 43-yard gain that set up a three-yard scoring burst by Taylor for a 14-0 lead just 8 ½ minutes into the game.

After that, Stanford got more and more conservative, and Wisconsin had a chance for a game-winning drive at the end.

"I know we could have done so much better," said Shaw. "But right now, it's not the time to think about that. It's time for celebration."

Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Ryan Aplin passes the ball during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at the GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Arkansas State won, 17-13.
Crystal LoGiudice, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi running back Jeff Scott (3) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh during the first half of the BBVA Compass Bowl at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. Mississippi beat Pittsburgh 38-17.
Marvin Gentry, USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel and his teammates celebrate with the trophy after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2013 Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. The Aggies beat the Sooners 41-13.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks players hoist the golden football from the championship trophy after the 2013 Fiesta Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota runs for a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats in the third quarter during the 2013 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a touchdown pass against the defense of LSU safety Eric Reid in the second half of the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome.
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Tulsa Golden Hurricane players hold up the Liberty Bowl trophy and ring the bell after the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Stadium. Tulsa won 31-17.
Spruce Derden, USA TODAY Sports

From right to left, Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown, running back D.J. Monroe and safety Kenny Vaccaro react after defeating the Oregon State Beavers in the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas won 31-27.
Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin carries the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas beat Oregon State 31-27.
Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Marion Grice runs for a touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen in the first quarter of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park. Arizona State won, 62-28.
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse Orange running back Prince-Tyson Gulley leaps over a teammate as he runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Ohio Bobcats running back Beau Blankenship (22) celebrates his touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the second half of the Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Ohio won 45-14.
Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports

Southern Methodist defensive end Margus Hunt sacks Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr in the end zone for a second-quarter safety. Hunt, who also forced two fumbles that led to two field goals, was named the Hawaii Bowl's Most Valuable Player.
Marco Garcia, USA TODAY Sports